edited chapter 19
A few hours later, Naruto came back inside and looked at the clock. It was nine pm.
He pulls out his shogi board and pieces taking his spot upstairs.
Just in time, as Sai came up, he sat down across from him. They played a game of shogi, sharpening their minds.
The noise from the moving pieces got the attention of Inari in the other room.
"What are you guys playing?"
"Shogi," Naruto informed. He sat down between them, watching them play.
He would ask a question here and there about that game.
After an hour passed, he more or less understood all the moves the game allows.
He didn't waver at all. He just stayed still as they played.
"Why are you two playing this game?"
"It helps sharpen the mind, allowing us to come up with or improve strategies."
"How so?" Naruto didn't answer. He looked to Sai, hoping he'd answer his question.
"You could be a powerful ninja knowing countless jutsu, but it won't do you any good without a strategy to maximize their usefulness," Sai elaborated.
"And if the strategy fails, you have to be able to improvise and adapt to the change of battle," Naruto added.
"And if you can, make up a new strategy on the spot."
"Don't forget changing up tactics when the needs arise to turn the tide of battle."
"Not mention weighing the outcomes of possible risk when you're forced to make hard decisions on the spot."
"And following through with your decisions. In the end, this all comes down to a test of bravery,"
"Bravery, huh." is Inari's response.
He didn't say another word for the remainder of the night, just focusing on them playing the game.
They continued playing until midnight came. Then, finally, Inari let out a yawn before going to bed.
"Surprised you aren't going to bed, Naruto."
"Gonna stay up the whole night, sleep deprivation training."
"Guess I'll join you so we can keep playing." he reasoned.
They continue playing for a few more hours. Then, Naruto checks the time once more, seeing it is 2:30 A.M.
"I'm gonna call it for now!"
"Agreed," Sai responded.
Then Naruto's mind hatched an idea. He quickly unseals a bag pulling out a few neck radios.
He hands one to Sai, "since the others are sleeping, you feel like scouting? I covered most of the island but still need to do the mainland coast!"
"Fine by me," he put his on before they slowly and quietly made their way downstairs.
"Where do you two think you are going!" Kakashi said from his sleeping mat.
The two cringed from being found out. Naruto faces the jonin.
"We were going to recon the coast past the bridge," he said with a nervous tone.
Sai showed off a sheepish grin backing up Naruto's claim.
Kakashi just stared the two down for a solid minute, "fine. I want you both back here in three hours!"
Kakashi learned Sai was a member of Danzo's root agent after seeing how casual he is with Naruto after the bell test.
Sai learned the basics of being a ninja but cooperation with others and teamwork he still needs help with.
And hopefully, he can help the boy handle his emotions better. However, it was clear he was still a little awkward around his squadmates.
Kakashi has no problem being the Jonin to teach him those skills, making it easier to focus on Sasuke and Sakura.
Naruto throws him a radio piece. Kakashi strapped the radio to his neck, putting the earpiece in.
The two quickly headed off, radioing in with kakashi when they landed on the mainland before two splitting up.
Sai would check the area across from the bridge, and Naruto would check a few clicks north.
A half-hour later, Sai radioed in, "Naruto, Kakashi sensei, I found a camp, holding what looks to be 25-30 thugs and bandits."
"Hai," kakashi responded.
Half an hour later, Naruto radio in. "I found a large base on the land of waves side deep in a dark forest. I see one, two, about ten thugs and presumably Zabuza in there!"
"Do not engage in Naruto. We have no idea what is there!"
"Hai!"
They continued scouting for another hour before calling it.
"So, what is Naruto?" Kakashi asked from the futon.
Sai headed back upstairs since it was apparent this matter is strictly between them.
"Hmm, since he not only has two ninjas but a small army of thugs, there's a very high chance Gato will attack Tazuna on two fronts."
"Hmm, if that's the case, I want you to keep an eye on Tsunami when all three genins are at the bridge."
"Understood, anything else?"
"If any thugs come after Tsunami and Inari do what necessary then head to the bridge. But stay hidden. This is the genin mission. You are our ace on the hole if this mission becomes too difficult for them!"
"I know I'll make sure no one learns of me. The less the enemy knows, the better."
"Correct"
"I'll send out a few shadow clones to act as looks to prepare ahead of time."
"good"
A few hours later, the sun rose, and breakfast was served.
Once finished, Sasuke went back to the forest to continue the tree-climbing exercise.
Naruto went with him since he needs to iron out a few jutsu he's developing.
Naruto got into the lotus position since his father wants to talk to him about something.
One second he's in the real world. With Sasuke the next, he was in his mind.
"You need something, dad?"
"Yes, it concerns the fact you have to be in multiple places at once."
"Shadow clones can get the job done."
"I know, but that could prove problematic if one dispelled sooner than you'd like."
"Good point, so what is your solution?"
"I feel you are ready to learn the flying Raijin jutsu!"
"R-really!"
"Yes, it can prove beneficial to you."
"So when do we start?" he said with a little bit of excitement.
"Later today, it will be about four days before Kakashi is up and ready."
"Ok, then I'm gonna work on my lightning release" he returns to the real world, seeing Sasuke resting.
He does his morning stretches before concentrating lightning chakra in his hands.
He claps his hands together before slowly pulling them apart as lighting arcs back and forth between his hands.
Once enough lightning has gathered, he starts applying form to it.
He was soo focused on his lightning he didn't notice Sasuke eyeing him down the whole time.
After about a minute, the lightning vaguely resembled a kunai.
He continued working on the shape refining till it's virtually identical to a kunai.
He grabbed its handle with his Dominant hand, gazing at his work of art.
"What did you do?" Sasuke declares as he kneels beside him.
"I just applied shape transformation to my lightning nature."
"Hmm?"
Naruto dispelled the kunai before giving Sasuke a lecture on chakra nature and shape or form.
"Sasuke listens carefully to what I have to say!"
"Ok?!"
"You are fresh out of the academy ninja, chakra nature you have in the form of your fire style. But chakra form is way too advanced for you! So listen to what I'm saying and not brush it off!" He said sternly.
Sasuke immediately got up with his kunai heading to his tree, "I have a chakra exercise first!" He said proudly, getting a light chuckle from Naruto.
He sat back, Watching the genin go up the tree then back down over and over again.
"Sasuke!"
"What?"
"You need to calm down when you gather your chakra!" He informed.
Sasuke gave him a questioning look in his eyes before complying.
Once done, he ran up the tree, and to his amazement, he went up higher than last time.
Sasuke continued to work on the tree-climbing exercise while Naruto continued on his jutsu.
Naruto was able to refine and shorten his creation of the lightning kunai.
Naruto helps Sasuke limp his way home after using up every once of chakra he has.
On the way back, Sasuke thought back to lightning nature.
"Naruto, what else are you able to make out of lightning?"
"I can create shuriken easily since they're smaller. Other than that, not much."
"What happens when they strike a target?"
"They explode, releasing lightning in all directions or absorbed by the target. In the case of an enemy ninja, it can paralyze them."
"Dang, hate to be on the receiving end of those."
They ate their dinner in silence before calling it a knight.
Naruto found his spot high up on a tree branch. He called his bed while he was here.
He would stay inside with the others but see this as a form of training.
That and he slept outside under the stars enough times. But, of course, this doesn't bother him.
He went into his mind to see what his father had planned for him.
Once he made it, he stood before his father with Kurama in the background.
"So, where do we start?"
"Well, first we have to develop a formula, then have to be able to cast it when the need arises."
"Sounds simple enough, but I know there's a lot more to it," he said blankly, getting a chuckle from Kurama.
For over an hour, Minato explains the finer details of the jutsu and what it requires.
Once everything was settled, Naruto returned to the real world, unsealing a blank scroll, ink, and a brush.
With his father's voice in the background, he spent hours getting his formula just right.
His formula's center mark was the Uzumaki swirl pattern. On the top and bottom are triangles and tiny triangles on both sides of the swirl pattern.
Each one had its farthest points facing away from the swirl pattern.
Then he had a fine line going from top to bottom down the middle of the three symbols.
The top and bottom of the giant triangles with a line straight through.
The top of the sizeable triangle symbols is the kanji for heaven. The bottom has kanji for the earth.
That makes up his formula now. Then, finally, he has to be able to mark something on command.
According to his father, this jutsu is closer to summoning jutsu compared to the shunshin jutsu.
To cast the formula on command, he has to write out the formula on himself in his own blood.
He takes off his right anbu guard and gloves before biting his thumb, putting his formula on his right forearm.
He channels chakra to the formula. It glows red before vanishing.
He assumes his body absorbed it.
From what his father said, these marks never go away when placed on something.
The expectation of this rule is if the object in question, like a kunai, is destroyed.
Fortunately, placing the mark is simple.
Picture the formula in your mind before making contact with whatever item or a person if he's feeling brave.
Once it's placed, he just has to think of the specific mark.
A dimensional vortex encapsulates him before teleporting him to the desired location.
That's not the only thing. Naruto is not bound to teleport, just him. However, he can do objects or other people if he wants to, thanks to his father's help.
Naruto would test it out, but it was getting late, and he needed his rest.
While Sasuke works on the tree climbing exercise, Naruto worked not only on the flying Raijin jutsu.
But also in his lighting release, solely to create a jutsu similar to Chidori without the tunnel vision effect from the speed it requires.
During that time, Naruto filled Kakashi in on his progress with flying Raijin jutsu.
He gave him an eye smile, noting it's only a matter of time before he masters it.
During his recon, he made a detailed map of the wave's country and coastline of the land of fire.
He put extra emphasis on the campsite holding all the thugs.
After four days, Sasuke completed the tree-climbing exercise, now able to do guard duty for Tazuna.
Naruto also barely manages to complete the Flying Raijin jutsu, his father said, it has a steep learning curve.
The night before Sasuke could guard Tazuna, Naruto placed one kunai with his formula in the tree, staying on and the bridge's the halfway point.
Doing as his father instructed, he believed it or not, succeeded in teleporting.
There are two hitches to this jutsu, the chakra use, and the landing, not including keeping his stomach contents.
This is what his father meant by a learning curve. He sure there was more to this curve but left it alone.
It was good enough to go from Tazuna home and the bridge in a flash.
Before calling it a night, Naruto and Kakashi went over the plan.
While Kakashi and his team go to the bridge with Tazuna, Naruto would watch Tsunami and Inari.
Before his squad could take Tazuna to his bridge, Naruto slipped Kakashi a kunai with his formula.
He, of course, was slightly shocked but quickly hid it.
Naruto once more took his perch into a tree by the house before sending a few clones out to scan for any of Gato's thugs.
After about half an hour, he just got the memories of a clone.
He saw two guys with swords, one with no shirt, brown skin, and an eye patch. The other is white with a hat and coat on.
Since he wants to keep his exposure to the wave's people to a minimum, he'll have to wait to take them out in one go.
Five minutes later, they showed up and sliced off the door before dragging Tsunami with them.
Inari bravely charged at them in an attempt to save his mothers life.
They slashed at him causing his mother to scream.
Inari was sent flying backward only to poof revealing log.
They turned around to the mother only to feel a pain in the back of their head before everything faded to black.
"K-kitsune, I thought you went with the others?" Inari said shakily.
"I discovered a camp holding all the thugs in Gato employment a few days ago. So Kakashi and I decided for me to stay here in case they visit you." He cut Tsunami binding only for her to bring her son into her arms.
"I have to say, Inari, that was brave of you!"
"I just thought of you and Sai playing that game of yours," he said with a grin.
"Before you can put a strategy in play, you need bravery to see it through" Inari's grin grew in size.
"Just out of curiosity, what was your strategy anyway?"
"Hopefully, push or trip them in the water so mom and I could escape!" he said with a nervous chuckle.
"Well, I couldn't have done this without your help since I need to make sure no one sees me."
Naruto ties up the two thugs before shunshinning away with them in tow. He set them against a tree far enough away from the civilians.
"Hope kakashi placed that kunai in a good spot," activating the jutsu, he suddenly found himself in a thick, blinding fog.
Using Kurama's eyes jutsu, he could feel Kakashi and Zabuza in battle, Sasuke fighting someone just as powerful. Sakura and Sai kept Tazuna protected.
He made sure to conceal his presence. He checked on Sasuke first. But, unfortunately, he was surrounded by what looked to be mirrors.
Remembering what Kakashi asked of him, keep his involvement to a minimum.
He carefully watched Sasuke's battle. It was clear whoever his opponent was, wasn't going for the kill.
This gave him some hope they might be able to hold him off long enough for the faker tracker to use up his chakra.
Then his heart sank to his gut. Finally, Sasuke just collapsed to the ground, barely breathing.
He quickly sprints inward, getting Sasuke out there in a flash.
"Sasuke, you ok?" he said quietly, laying him against the rails of the bridge.
When he finally locked eyes with the familiar mask." yeah, I'm fine, but I can't carry on anymore."
"What's the intel on your opponent?"
"Whoever he is, he hides in those mirrors and throws senbon on me from all sides," he said with a cough.
"Stay here. I'll handle this."
"Hey, give him hell, Naruto!" Naruto just gives thumbs up in response.
With the same speed he pulled Sasuke out, he entered, standing in the center.
"Hope you still got some fight left in you," he said, cracking his knuckles.
"What is an anbu doing here?" he said with a nervous tone to his voice.
"When our Hokage learned of the demon brother, he sent me back up. So I watched the last part of the Kakashi battle with Zabuza's first encounter."
"Impossible I would have sensed you if you were there!"
"Well, it looks like your detection skills aren't up to par compared to a master of stealth!" the ninja in question threw countless senbon at him.
A split second later, Naruto released a powerful shock wave stopping all the senbon dead in their tracks.
With the others
"What the hell was that?"
"Hmm, he finally made it, meaning this fight will be over soon!" Kakashi spat.
"What was that?" Sakura stated.
"Probably Kitsune Sakura," Sai supplied.
"About time!" she snarled, getting a chuckle from Sai.
"Who caused that noise, Kakashi!"
"Hmm, that would be a member of Konoha anbu forces, code name Kitsune!"
The faker tracker Naruto is fighting was on the ropes. No matter how much he tried, he would dodge or counter his attack with a shock wave.
Suddenly Naruto got the memories of a clone he sent out earlier.
Gato was on his way here with his army of thugs.
He barely had enough time to dodge the ninja's next attack.
"Getting slow, are we?" he taunted.
"No, I just received some valuable intel, I would love to continue this dance, but I'm ending this fight." Naruto summons enough of Kurama chakra to increase strength and rival his opponent's speed.
He charges at the ice mirror before punching it, causing the ice to shatter like glass.
The tracker ninja jumped to another ice mirror but failed as Naruto quickly grabbed hold of the ninja, striking him on the back of his head, knocking him out cold.
"One down, one to go" he checks on Sasuke to see him having most of the senbon pulled out of him.
"I take it you finished him off?"
"Yes, now I need to help Kakashi takedown Zabuza," he said, heading off to join two jonin level chakra signatures.
"Kakashi fakers down," he shouts.
"Good!"
"Haku lost, impossible!" Zabuza roared.
Still using Kurama chakra to spot and tell the difference between the two jonin.
He is gonna use this opportunity to test out his thunder punch on Zabuza.
Keep a close eye on their chakra. Naruto gathered lightning in his right fist.
"Hey Zabuza, think fast!" he shouts moments later and nails him right in the gut electrocuting the former jonin of Kiri.
That one attack was enough for the mist to fade. Naruto looks to his senpai.
"Sorry for cutting in received memories of a clone saying Gato on his way with his army of thugs!" he informs before glancing to the spazzing Zabuza.
He looks to Sakura, helping Sasuke recover from Haku's senbon attack, don't attack Haku. He's out cold." Sakura nods in understanding.
Sai and Tazuna stayed put before the sound of movement drew all their attention to the bridge's unfinished part.
Gato stood before his small army of thugs, ranting about how Zabuza is too expressive for him.
With a smirk, Naruto walks over, crouching down to Zabuza.
"Kakashi, since I'm no longer in Gato's employ, Tazuna is safe."
"Look that way," he says to Naruto.
Naruto put a kunai to Zabuza conducting electricity from his jutsu,
He can't get all of it. But enough for Zabua to stand on his two feet.
"I'll go check on Haku," was all Naruto said before heading toward Sasuke.
Zabuza picks up his sword, "I have one lost thing to do here, kakashi!"
"Go right ahead," he said, stepping aside.
With his remaining strength, Zabuza charged, taking out countless thugs before decapitating Gato sending his corps into the water. The surviving thugs ran for their lives.
Two hours later
Everyone stood on the bridge, shinobi on one side, everyone else on the other.
"How many times do we have to tell you we are not a threat anymore!" Haku said once more.
"Why should we believe you!" a random civilian countered.
"Like it or not, they were doing what they were paid for, like how builders would hire outside help for projects...like a bridge," Naruto said, standing between the two groups.
"Kitsune is correct on this matter!" Kakashi pointed out.
"They're right," Tazuna said, stepping forward only to face Zabuza and Haku.
The two ninjas were on edge since Haku regained consciousness. Tazuna standing before them only added more wood to that fire.
To be expected when in the presence of the person, you are hired to kill.
"Tazuna, how much longer till the bridge is done?" Naruto asked
"I'd say 10-14 days. Why?"
Naruto looks to Kakashi, who nods before facing Zabuza and Haku.
"It only a matter of time before word of this reaches Kiri."
"Looks like we better move than Zabuza," Haku said
Zabuza let out a frustrated sigh, "yeah, but where is this time?"
"You could come to Konoha?" all eyes land on Naruto at this.
"Are you insane? They just tried to kill us!" Sakura shouts at the top of her lungs.
"Have you been paying attention at all for the last hour, Sakura!" he said with authority putting everyone on edge.
She quickly piped up before looking away.
"Why would you want us there?" Zabuza asked
"Truth be told, my team short one member, and Haku would fit in nicely with the anbu. As for you, I can say with confidence, T&I would LOVE to have you in their ranks," he said with a half-smug, half-serious tone.
Everyone floored themselves at this information.
"Would you rather take your chance with Kiri's tracker ninja?" he said with sarcasm.
They trade glances before Zabuza answers, "when do we leave?"
"As soon as possible" he pulls out a piece of paper, handing it to Tazuna.
"What is this?"
"A detailed map of the coastline for the land of fire and wave, you can see here camps for Gato's thugs, in case they make a mistake coming back here."
"That's good to know, thanks to you, Kitsune."
"You're welcome. You two ready? we have a lot of ground to cover!"
"Just lead the way!" Haku responded, getting a nod from Zabuza in agreement.
"Guess I'll see you guys in a couple of weeks," Kakashi and his team waved them off.
The three raced to the end of the bridge before jumping to the cliffside; Naruto stopped.
"What is Naruto?"
He summoned a toad, "send word to the Hokage I'm returning with two guests." the toad croaked in response before disappearing.
"Let's get moving," and they were off.
It took them four hours, but they made it to Konoha. They use a hidden exit to slip the two in unnoticed.
Once they made it to the Hokage mountain's inner workings.
They were met up with Hiruzen, Ibiki, Anko, and a few others who wanted to see who Naruto brought back with him.
"You all know Zabuza from the bingo book, and this is his student Haku" He removes his mask to introduce them.
"If you follow me, I would like a word with the three of you," Hiruzen said, heading off.
They quickly found their place right behind him.
After a few hours, Hiruzen more or less had a good idea where they stood.
"Well, it is true Haku has the strength to be in anbu but does he have the nerve to take a life when the need arises?" he said with a level glare.
Haku didn't say a word for a solid minute.
He took a deep breath "if that is what's needed of me to join this village...then so be it."
"Naruto mentioned your T&I department would want me," Zabuza interjected.
Everyone chuckled how a random comment derailed a super-serious topic.
"But before we can even consider your request to join Konoha, we need a psych evaluation on both of you!" he said, releasing a little killing intent.
"Understood"
hope you enjoyed
I did my best to condense this, so it doesn't drag on too long
from the result of the poll a while back
both Zabuza and Haku will join Kohona
as always, make sure to fav follow and leave a chapter review